State reopening guidance impacts City facilities and services

The City of Lenexa is following the guidelines of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas, which is strongly recommended by Johnson County. Lenexa Parks & Recreation will reopen facilities and resume some programs and events in limited capacities starting June 1, at the earliest.

Just because we are unable to gather at the Public Market doesn’t mean we can’t come together and celebrate the coming of spring by enjoying a beer outside.

This year, so we can maintain proper social distance, we’re going digital and celebrating Virtual Utepils! “Utepils” is a Norwegian word that translates to “outdoors lager” and marks the enjoyment of a first beer outside after a long, cold winter.

The weekend-long Virtual Utepils will include all the essential elements of our in-person event, the only difference is that it’s happening in your neighborhoods and online - on our Facebook event page! There will be prizes, live streaming music, and virtual trivia.

With all this extra at-home time, we know you’ve already been drinking in the driveway with your neighbors. Share your photos/videos enjoying local beers outside while quarantined at home on the Virtual Utepils Facebook event page. The more creative the better!

Be honest, you haven’t shaved since you last went into the office. Get that scruff looking sharp for the Beer’d and Mustache contest.

A crucial part of Utepils has always been to support local breweries. This year, it’s even more important. Our friends and fellow entrepreneurs at Brew Lab, Limitless Brewing, Sandhills Brewing, Servaes Brewing Co., and Transport Brewery are all still offering pick-up for their wonderful beers!

Buy beer. Buy local. Buy local beer.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

At any time during the event: Share your photos/videos enjoying beer (A beer cocktail counts!) outside while quarantined at home on the Virtual Utepils Facebook event page. The more creative the better!

FRIDAY
5 p.m.: Kick off on Facebook with Market Manager Carmen Chopp and Assistant Manager Amanda Albert with celebratory beers!
8 p.m.: Photos for Beer’d and Mustache contest must be received. Send your photos to the Public Market Facebook page through a private message.

SATURDAY
9 a.m.: Photos of Beer’d and Mustache contestants will be posted and voting opens. Photos with the most likes/loves win! Voting closes Sunday at 4 p.m.
3 to 4 p.m.: Enjoy a concert by music artist Wyatt Brewer through Facebook Live.

SUNDAY
Continue voting for the Beer’d and Mustache contestants and post pictures of you enjoying beer outside.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Beer trivia sponsored by the local breweries. We’ll post questions on the event page, and randomly select a winner from all correct answers shortly after 3 p.m.
4 p.m.: Voting closes for the Beer’d and Mustache contest.
5 p.m.: All winners contacted/announced as Virtual Utepils comes to a close.